Four candidate techniques over the same illustrative tenant. Geometry is computed in Node and rendered in WebGL, so every view is explorable rather than a picture. Each carries a verdict on whether depth earns its place.
ExplorationSeparate from the approved screen set nothing here changes it
How to read the verdicts. 3D is worth it when a third axis carries real structure, and it is a liability when it adds occlusion to data that a plane already shows. Two of these earn it, one is situational, one is included so the comparison is honest.
1
Start with the question
Each view answers one question, not every question about culture. Read the question before you orbit.
2
Use depth to find the shape
Drag once. Depth should reveal a cluster, shelf, or sag that a flat chart hides. If it does not, use the 2D evidence.
3
Verify before deciding
Hover for the underlying measure, then use the table or facets for exact comparison. A 3D view is a lead, not the evidence record.
01
Collaboration graph
Depth earns it
Teams pulled together by how much they actually talk. A collaboration graph has no natural two dimensional embedding, so in a plane the lobes overlap and the acquired org hides. Drag to orbit, hover a team, then apply an intervention and watch the geometry re-solve.
measuringdrag to orbit, scroll to zoom
Organizations
None checked shows all.
Legacy
Minimum contact
show links above0
Links
Simulate an intervention
Detail
Hover a team for detail.
Where this belongs in the product. Replaces the Team Network view. The 2D scatter stays as the ranked evidence table beneath it, because the graph shows structure and the table shows magnitude.
02
Signal surface
Depth earns it
Two ordered axes, organization and period, with one measure as height. This is a genuine surface rather than a chart with perspective added, and the flat shelf where the acquired org stops improving is shape you see before you read a number.
measuringdrag to orbit
Measure
Display
Height
strongmiddlingweak
Colour is redundant with height on purpose, so the read survives a flat viewing angle and colour vision deficiency.
Where this belongs in the product. A hero on Organization Insights, above the faceted small multiples. The surface gives the shape, the facets give the exact values.
03
Seam ribbons
Situational
Organizations on a ring, with a ribbon per pair. Thickness is shared dependency, and the ribbon sags in proportion to lost contact, so neglected seams physically hang below the floor. A 2D chord diagram carries the same data and hides magnitude behind overlap.
measuringdrag to orbit, hover a ribbon
Seam state
Detail
Hover a ribbon for detail.
Seam
Deps
Contact
Risk
State
Honest read. This is the most persuasive of the four in a room and the least precise on a screen. Good for an executive narrative, paired with the table underneath for the actual numbers.
04
Scatter cube
Depth does not earn it
Three continuous measures on three axes. Included so the comparison is fair, and it is the classic overreach: perspective makes points nearer the camera look larger, occlusion hides clusters, and comparing two points needs rotation. Kept in the lab, not recommended for the product.
measuringdrag to orbit
Organizations
Sampling
Recommendation. Use a 2D scatter with size as the third measure instead. It is comparable at a glance, works on a phone, and does not need a camera. Depth is worth spending on structure, not on a third continuous axis.
Illustrative prospect concept. Not a Workday product, integration, endorsement, or customer data. Every organization, team, relationship, and measure shown is invented for demonstration. Individual level points are synthetic and aggregate only. Geometry is computed by a Node service and rendered with WebGL.